The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: leapinlew on January 22, 2007, 09:58:29 pm

Title: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: leapinlew on January 22, 2007, 09:58:29 pm
I see many people need to mount  power strips inside their MAME cabs. While this method works well with power strips - it can be applied to anything that needs to be mounted like this. Building my house, I've used it to mount frames and bathroom fixtures.


Ok! So lets imagine your trying to mount everything inside your MAME cabinet and you need a power strip inside. Lets say this is your power strip:

(http://tkfiles.storage.msn.com/x1pIjpkUX-8gH9I-dsraz2sM2ANNulLYHc9Jiqt38G81iQJ9QoPyO5TENVl1No5JrxYEM6qhmPAKTEN-MVDYfGdU1fFQtNXWNtQj0h1UMfH6TM)
Using a ruler or tape measure you could figure out where to put screws.... or.... you could use these tools:

(http://tkfiles.storage.msn.com/x1pIjpkUX-8gH9I-dsraz2sM91B9qHH2IXVrjbAzOsPLyP-Nsiw9UUIJ0pOp-aeEsQQoV8_xTSVXcQNEy50UwowoCvRKBQVkxhGhB4hbsl97UE)

It's a simple matter of applying tape to the power strip and marking the holes:
(http://tkfiles.storage.msn.com/x1pIjpkUX-8gH9I-dsraz2sM0TSyf0_2v9yihkZ6Dq03r-ITMDkbSn3G3jWuhZkTZpt4Jq3_0B41mSiQSt0hj7XENX1BVvw4cGshdbFVwn4TPc)

Now peel off the tape, and put the tape where you want to mount the power strip:
(http://tkfiles.storage.msn.com/x1pIjpkUX-8gH9I-dsraz2sMx5U-4BeCMn3CbTsFoOBtqW1wi2196BkKha9zFJ01lP5nO_4HyIwbe5XqvMjylwKczr_MgtdfX3ttWzv22GwlIU)

I hope this benefits someone. It's real simple and everyone I show it to seems to be surprised how easy it is and wonder why they've never thought of it.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: saint on January 22, 2007, 10:01:50 pm
That's stunningly simple yet brilliant and I wonder why I never thought of it - seriously. I have hung a half dozen pictures the last two weekends. DOH!
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: Fozzy The Bear on January 22, 2007, 10:06:37 pm
I hope this benefits someone. It's real simple and everyone I show it to seems to be surprised how easy it is and wonder why they've never thought of it.

DOHHHH!!!!  You know that now I've seen this I can think of 100 jobs where this would have made it easier and quicker.  :cheers:

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: spacies on January 22, 2007, 10:27:25 pm

Nice one Lew

I was shown this by an old timer a while back but he used paper.
The masking tape is way better.

Nice one!   :applaud:
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: ahofle on January 22, 2007, 10:38:34 pm
You know I wish there was a tutorial section of these forums, completely moderated, with nothing but useful posts like this.  Would make a great start for "how do I" type searches.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: fjl on January 22, 2007, 10:44:22 pm
Cool but yeah I saw someone do that but they instead used paper. And I've done it since. Not sure I would trust masking tape though, as its accuracy is as good as the person who tapes it on. :-X
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: edge on January 22, 2007, 11:12:52 pm
brilliant yet simple. i love it.

Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: mccoy178 on January 22, 2007, 11:45:00 pm
Thanks for making this tutorial.  Every detail is important. :cheers:
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: Naru on January 22, 2007, 11:45:54 pm
Ha ha,
Oh man after all that measuring...
I'm such a dufus.

Thank You!
I will definitely be using this method in the future.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: MYX on January 23, 2007, 08:03:49 am
Lew that is such a silly simple thing. Great idea. There were so many places I could have used this when I was building. But with my ADD firmly in place, I would have probably left the tape there.  :)

You know I wish there was a tutorial section of these forums, completely moderated, with nothing but useful posts like this.  Would make a great start for "how do I" type searches.

Hey can you put it on the Wiki? Probably would be on the building area, but perhaps we need to make a fast and easy tutorials section. A section not intended for rocket science, but for great quicky ideas like this. 
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: shardian on January 23, 2007, 08:13:33 am
Son of a... :dizzy:

I hate being over-educated. I can never think of simple solutions. That is BRILLIANT!
I hung an array of pictures one day in my office,and I cracked out AutoCAD to lay out the pictures. The wife thought I was equal parts dork and stupid. Wait till she see's me crack out this method. She'll be hot for me for sure after showing that sort of common sense. :laugh2:
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: Havok on January 23, 2007, 08:29:16 am
This confirms I am a moron...
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: Kaytrim on January 23, 2007, 09:24:58 am
You know I wish there was a tutorial section of these forums, completely moderated, with nothing but useful posts like this.  Would make a great start for "how do I" type searches.

I agree, this could replace all the stickies at the top of some of these forums.  It even belongs in the Wiki including the pics.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: clockwork on January 23, 2007, 10:20:12 am
That is an absolutely excellent idea, Lew.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: fatfingers on January 23, 2007, 12:50:29 pm

*fatfingers hangs head in shame after realizing how useless his brain is*

Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: ChadTower on January 23, 2007, 12:54:23 pm

Put me in the "I always did that with paper" camp.  I usually make the piece of paper and then tape it on the wall.  Never occurred to me to mark the tape.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: Donkey_Kong on January 23, 2007, 01:10:00 pm
Lew...You are my idol.  :-[

:notworthy:

Seriously though...good stuff.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: needlesmcgirk on January 23, 2007, 01:38:03 pm
Nice.  I wish I could think like that.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: steveh on January 23, 2007, 03:02:39 pm
Great Idea.  Its always the simple stuff that is over looked.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: somunny on January 23, 2007, 03:28:07 pm
Nice one!  : :applaud:
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: PoDunkMoFo on January 23, 2007, 04:04:51 pm
We use a low tack transfer tape for graphics and I use it this way all the time.  I can tell you it works awesome.  Drive the screws right into the marks and then rip the paper off.  Snug fit everytime.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: MYX on January 23, 2007, 05:28:15 pm
This is truely a men's forum. How many women have you ever seen that got this geeked up about tape?
Tis' a proud day for us all. Thanks Lew.
 :cheers:
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: fatfingers on January 23, 2007, 06:05:45 pm
This is truely a men's forum. How many women have you ever seen that got this geeked up about tape?
Tis' a proud day for us all. Thanks Lew.
 :cheers:

 :laugh2:  :laugh2:  :laugh2:
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: Cutty on January 24, 2007, 09:18:57 am
Holy moly, I think I'll mount my powerstrip and flourescent better right now.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: ChadTower on January 24, 2007, 10:12:02 am
This is truely a men's forum. How many women have you ever seen that got this geeked up about tape?

You've never been to something like a "scrapbooking party", have you?
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: gnateye on January 24, 2007, 10:15:49 am
im in the taping the paper camp too, ive also used ink jet transparencies or the same thing if you need to see thru it, it is a great simple mostly foolproof method.

props to you!
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: shardian on January 24, 2007, 10:25:17 am
This is truely a men's forum. How many women have you ever seen that got this geeked up about tape?

You've never been to something like a "scrapbooking party", have you?

That is the truth right there. My wife will complain I spend too much on arcade stuff. Then she turns around and says, will you get me that new paper cutter? Get me those special scissors? And various other things. She has tools that I don't think she has even used...but of course she will when she finds a use for it.  I will guarantee that I have invested more money into her scrapbooking than my arcade stuff. Kind of sounds familiar: maybe if you substitute man for woman, and power tools for scrapbooking supplies...maybe we're not so different after all.  No point in pushing the subject though, if you know what I mean. ;)
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: ChadTower on January 24, 2007, 10:50:33 am

I drew the line at my wife spending like $4/sheet for "acid free, lead free, paper free" sheets of scrapbooking paper and then putting fifteen cent inkjet prints on them.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: xmenxmen on January 24, 2007, 12:45:58 pm
Tonight, mine will be perfect.  Amazing how simple things can get.  Now I feel.   :banghead:
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: shardian on January 24, 2007, 01:18:06 pm

I drew the line at my wife spending like $4/sheet for "acid free, lead free, paper free" sheets of scrapbooking paper and then putting fifteen cent inkjet prints on them.

Michael's and AC Moore 50% off coupons have become my best friend. ;D
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: ChadTower on January 24, 2007, 01:21:33 pm

Yeah, but because they sell stuff like spray adhesive, gorilla glue, and touch up paints.

Say it 4 times.  Quickly, before someone hears us.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: leapinlew on January 24, 2007, 01:24:19 pm
*sniff sniff*

Did it just get girly in here?  ;)
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: ChadTower on January 24, 2007, 01:39:25 pm

No.  What you are smelling is a beef and bean burrito cloud.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: shardian on January 24, 2007, 02:20:04 pm

Yeah, but because they sell stuff like spray adhesive, gorilla glue, and touch up paints.

Say it 4 times.  Quickly, before someone hears us.

Yeah, uh, I only go there for the nudie art books...yeah. ::)
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: Hoopz on August 13, 2007, 03:04:40 pm
Bump for those who never read this...

One of the most brilliant posts ever.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: SavannahLion on August 13, 2007, 03:36:29 pm
WTF!WDITOT?
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: javeryh on August 13, 2007, 03:38:04 pm
Bump for those who never read this...

One of the most brilliant posts ever.

Wow.  I never would have thought of that in a million years.  Awesome.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: ARTIFACT on August 13, 2007, 03:46:39 pm
Woah :)

I'll do that then... Right now I'm using velcro (a wide strip, the whole surface) and it works ok
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: Jouster on August 13, 2007, 05:21:20 pm
I can't do this...where exactly would I need to cuss in this little procedure??  I'm not working on something if I ain't cussin at it!

Jouster
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: ark_ader on August 14, 2007, 02:06:02 pm
Thanks I wished I figured that one out last weekend, the inside of my cab leg looks like swiss cheese!   :banghead:
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: DaOld Man on August 14, 2007, 10:53:49 pm
Cool tip!!!
Thanks lew!!
 ;D
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: acevedor2 on August 15, 2007, 07:23:44 pm
What the hell did I ever do before this forum?  Now I can go put away the laser level and break out the tape!  Awesome Lew, thanks!
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: JustMichael on August 15, 2007, 08:20:57 pm
Obviously this did not come from a government employee...  way too effective.
I personally use the blue painter's tape but I had thought this is how everyone marked the holes.  Apparently I was wrong.
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: WunderCade on August 15, 2007, 10:18:09 pm
Who wants to bet the Chinese will rip this off too?
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: Hoopz on February 25, 2008, 06:48:47 am
Bump for efjayel's benefit since he doesn't believe in bumping old threads.  (Or searching either).
Title: Re: Tutorial: How to install a powerstrip, frame or anything!
Post by: Ginsu Victim on February 25, 2008, 09:55:31 am
Thanks for the tip. I've been overthinking this for way too long. What a time saver! (And more accurate!)